Grape



Nov. 8, 1932.

H. J. B. WIEDERKEHR GRAPE Filed April 20, 1932 Plant Pat. 42

Patented Nov. 8, 1932 Plant Pat. 42

HERMAN' J. B. WIEDERKEHR, OF AL'IUS,

ARKANSAS, ASSIGNOR T0 STARK BROS NURSERIES & ORCHARDS COMPANY, OF LOUISIANA', MISSOU'RI GRAIE Application filed April 20,

This invention relaes t0 a new variety of grape of the so-called black grape dass, the 1nost outstanding and importanz characteristics of which reside in size and tinne 0f ripening.

From a commercial aspect 01 viewpoint, the relative times of ripening of various varieties 0f fruits is extremely important. This is best explained by reference t0 an illustrative example, and it is t0 be understood that i applies not only t0 grapes, butalso t0 other fruits and p1ants in general productive of flowers 01 fruit requiring special handling o1 treatment. Take f0r exarnple several varie ties of grapes or other f1uit Which ripen at substantially the san1e tima in a large vineyard 01" orchayd. A large nun1ber 0f pickers are required t0 take care 01 the fruit at the proper time, thereby making it extremely difficult to utilize and save all of the fruit before it s oi1s. Likewise in the canning 0r other special treatments, consiclerable machinery and large forces f0r manning and operating the same are reqired, but for 0n1y the comparatively short ripening period. This representg a large capital outlay which is generally working and productive of returns 0n1y for a short time each season, dependinq upon the length 0f the ripening period. Thus, if the ripening periods 0f the various fruits could be spread over a longer time, considerable savings and increase in efliciency cou1d be atfained by the gr0wers 01' producers and operators, resulting finally in lower cost of the final product, and increasing the quality incident to the increase in uniformity 0f production.

T0 (bis end. I have discovered am]. asexuaL 13 reproduced my new variety of grape in that it increases the longevity of ripen1ng season f01 grapes of the dass t0 which it belongs.

The grape is one of the oldest of domesticated ffuicg and in ehe nited States ehe b1ack 4 grape grower t0 produce a grape of the Con- 19'32. Serial N0. 606485.

cord type which ripens in other seasons, and many eflorts have be en extended t0 this end for the purpose of lengthening the ripening and shipping season.. Long after the introduction of the Concord, there was cleveloped a variety called Campbell Early, ripening approximately fifteen days earlier than Conc0rd when grown under comparabl'e conditi0ns. This variety averaged slightly larger than the Concord and proved to be a great commercial success.

My new grape is of the same type and has the same general appearance as the Campbe1l Early, but ripens approximately ten to fifteen daysearlier, and twenty-five to thirty days earlier than Concord, thus providing a new season for a blank grape. In size, my grape is considerably 1arger than either df the aforementioned or other varieties 0f this group and when grown uncler comparable conditions averages thirty to fifty per cent larger than Campbell Early. From an actual comparison of these grapes grown in the same vineyard and uncler comparable conditions, the individual fruit 0f ehe Cam]; bell Early averaged one-half t0 nine-sixteenths of an inch in diameter whereas my individual fruit averaged three-quarters 0f an inch 130 one and one-eighth inches in diameter. In addition, the bunches of my new grape are much larger than Campbell Ear1y or any other variety of black grape.

'Ihe quality 0f the f1uit is far superior to that of Concord, Campbell Early, Moores Early, Worden, I-Iicks, or any other black grape, being sweeter and more delicious in general. The VVOrden grape is the nearest approach in flavor.

Not only is the fruit entirely diflerent fromm any other black grape, but the vine itse1f is distinct and easily distinguishable. The Vines in ehe vineyard are very thrifty, and the foliage 1arger, -darker, heavier and more leathery. In general, the foliage is un1ike he foliage of any 0ther American Grape and in both fruit and vine, the distinct-ion is so plainly marked that even an inexperienced o1 layman observer can readily distingui-sh the difi'erence from the varieties which most closely resemble my new variety. In fact,

the diflerences am quite apparent even when observed from substantial distances away from the fruit and vines. Close and minute examination, of course, brings out numerous distinctions.

Having sei: forth the most notab1e features of my invention, it is apparent that myggape is clearly endowed with indivdual identity and is characterized truly as a new and distinct variety as manifested particularly in the earlier ripening of the fruit as compared with those varieties 0f the same dass which most nearly resemble the same, the exceptionally large size 01 the individual fruit and bunches, the quality of the fruit, the individuality of foliage, and habit 0f growth. Gertain of these features, especially the period of ripening, size and quality of the fruit greatly enhance the value of the variety for commercial purposes.

What I claim as new is A new and distinct variety of grape characterized particularly by the early ripening, exceptionally 1arge size, and superior quality 0f its fruit, as her-ein shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HERMAN J. B. WIEDERKEHR. 

